New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-07
INTERSTATE COMMERCE IN THE SENATE.

SENATORS PLATT AND MORGAN OPPOSE TIE BILL
MIR. CULLoM TO CALL 1T UP.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-The Senate to-day resumed con
sideraton the Interstate Commerce bill, ana MT.
Plat continued his argument He said that II was NOT
necessary apologize for the time CONSUMED orr be con-
sumed by him in this discussion because there never hau
been probably In the history Of this Government Dill
under consideration that would inevitably affect either
directly or remotely such great financial and industrial
interests as bill Senators not here to make
raid on railroad property An unremunerave rate was
Just unreasonable and injurious as too high rate
did the presidents and managers of Improbable rail-
roads attempt make moneys Not by the business
OF their roads but by stock jobbng That wasinevitabe
II was not the remunerative railroads that furnished
business the Stock Exchange. 1t was not dealings in
the stock OF remunerative railroads that produced pacs
that made mlonares and paupers in this country Tho
speaker said that the hill in the direction OF forcing
consolidation OF railroad companies and said that some
railroad men believed in that the best outcome of the
railroad problem. What were the railroads to do II pro-
hhited from making pooling arrangements Experience
taught that the Old rate wars would begin again ana tue
end of il would be 10 always had BEEN Consolidation
He believed better to let the weak railroads 1--we IMAM
TO build up one magnificent railroad corporation that
would occupy the alroad business OF the country tho
same position as the Western Union Telegraph Company
bears to the telegraph business OF the country Speei
mems of that consolidation of railroad companies were ~
day the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad, with system OF over
1000 miles under one management. and the N""aSh
system, with its gigantic management Of $500 miles.
The Senator argued that the effect OF the hill would
be 10 place the railroads aras the business
the West to tie Atlantic seaboard Is concerhe az
of Grand Trunk Railway OF Canada. AZ
The innafon that il would be necessary to adopt the
conference report in order 70 have any on me
subject at tins session he did not think 1t was wen
founded He did believe that legislation on the SUD
ec would fai N mis- hin went back TO conference com
ittce with an indication from the Senate that was not
ready TO brand criminal practices those ARRANGEMENTS
made by railroad companies 10 accomplish the precise OBJ
iapfi inf Olp IN 10
Mr.. Morgan stated the reason which wonld lntuehce
respect OF its practical people of his own
State Alabama was at the further southern nafn "l
the United states The markets in "hch her people
bought their dry goods and large part or their groceries
the far Northeast aud there was broad inier
venng area between them. The markets IN which tey
bought their food sppliesChcago, ST. Louis and Gin
cinnati-were also far distant FROM Alabama the mar
kets in which they sold their products were an ts'ah
They had tract Of country TO cross IN &c ing ehc
to the market of purchase or The market Of sale SO at
he thought that any bill which forced the ralroa1 cta
MES to raise their charges on fcighs Tor long hans
state But he had other reasons lie the proceenei 10
that the states were perfectly competent 10 de
TO the suerncs and wrongs Of the people through te
greed OF railroad coinpanles: ont IN ID nhIainS
the people master la Cong ess nor 20 place IN
the hands OF that master power over their uide am
the railroad companes he read this bill uhc inter
probation OF which was 80 ncera nat t eveg @e n a.
the long hauls N all eases where the roads could
n id tnf tb rsds 10 the coal and IRON fields OF Ala
hana could not DO that and the burden wOnd Ia heavily
on those new industries OF Alabama and would probably
destroy them go .
Mr. CullOm said he anxious 10 have the bill dis
posed OF possible, consistent with far dl*
ousson he therefore notice that on Tuesday or
Wednesday next he would ask the Senate 10 remain In
session until the subject disposed OF.
Ioar slrated aga Is cutting of debate on
bill! that would Opr ate seriously upon modern com
merce would greatly affect le interests OF the Guy
and state which he represented.
Mr. Cullom said tat the Senator had had pienty o!
time to prepare for the disc sson since the conference re
port had been made Besides. hin reported was
not very different from that which passed the senate
year ago Ia his dgm cnt, the BILL II passed woud lot
interfere with modern commerce AT all nor Win the IN
teress OF Boston or Massachusetts,
The senate then went into secret sc7'ion. and, whrn
the Ie0peLed ten minutes later adjourned III